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Medal-Winning Long Jumper Honors Late Grandmother In Creative Way At Paralympics

hilary hanson
·1 min read

Paralympic long jumper Isaac Jean-Paul had one person on his mind when he competed in Paris on Saturday.

“This moment right here was bigger than me,” Jean-Paul, who won a silver medal in the men’s long jump in the T13 classification, told NBC. “This moment was for my grandmother.”

U.S. long jumper Isaac Jean-Paul of the United States said this week's silver medal win was for his grandmother.
U.S. long jumper Isaac Jean-Paul of the United States said this week's silver medal win was for his grandmother. David Ramos via Getty Images

The Illinois-born athlete said that his grandmother died last year, and he came up with a unique way to honor her memory.

“I taped her obituary on my seat. She had the best seat in the house,” he said, displaying a piece of paper with her image that he brought to the event.

As a child, Jean-Paul was diagnosed with juvenile retinoschisis, a condition that affects peripheral and central vision. He previously won a bronze medal in the T13 men’s long jump at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020.

After snagging the silver in Paris, Jean-Paul said he “can’t thank God enough” for being able to share his win with everyone in attendance — and, “most importantly,” his late grandmother.

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